Sandwich-making machine



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Jan. 27, 1953 Filed Nov. 19, 1948 Jan. 27, 1953 J. WHITSEL 2,626,575

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Patented Jan. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES EXTENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

This invention relates to sandwich-making machines and apparatus, and has an as object to provide an improved mechanical organization automatically operable to efiect the assembly and delivery of assorted sandwiches in reaction to option indications selectively and manually charged thereinto.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sandwich-making machine characterized by extensive capacity for sandwich constituents selectively combinable thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sandwich-making machine characterized by extensive capacity for option indications chargeable thereinto as determinants of the particular composition of sandwiches subsequently and successively produced thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sandwich-making machine continuously and cyclically operable to simultaneously and progressively compose a plurality of particular sandwiches.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for the accommodation and selective delivery of assorted type bread slices in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine.

A further object or the invention is to provide improved means for the accommodation and selective delivery of lettuce in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means'for the accommodation and selective delivery of assorted filling materials in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine for selectively supplying either a single or'double charge of assorted filling materials to a given sandwich.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine automatically efiective to divide and plate-deliver completed sandwiches produced by said machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means in operative correlation with a sandwich-making machine selectively effective to trim the sandwiches produced by said machine as an incident of sandwich transfer to ultimate plate-delivery.

A further object oflthe invention is to provide improved means for the accommodation and automatic supply of servin plates in Operative correlation with the delivery of completed units from a sandwich-making machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved, manually-actuatable, option-registering means in operative correlation with and for the selective control of automatic functions of a sandwich-making machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sandwich-making machine that is operatively fully automatic in reaction to selective. manually-imposed, option indications, rapid in the completion and successive delivery of sandwich units, free from onerous servicing and maintenance requirements, compact and of small size in relation to its output capacity, susceptible of construction in size and capacity variations suited to all practical requirements, adaptable to coin control as an automatic vending device, positive and efficient in attainment of the ends for which designed, and durable throughout a lon life of actual use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the elements and sub-assemblies constituting the improved apparatus as correlated and interrelated in a typical operative embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale and with overlying elements progressively and partially broken away to show otherwise concealed construction, of the central drive cluster shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the showing of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a detail section taken on the indicated line 4 4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the indicated line 5-5 of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a detail plan, on an enlarged scale, of the elements constituting the first, or bread-slicedelivering, station of the apparatus in non-operating interrelation. Figure 7 is a cross section taken on the indicated line l-'| of Figure 6 with the bread-carrier shifted to operating relation with its station. Figure 8 is a cross section taken on the indicated line 8--8 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 9-9 of Figure 1. Figure 10 is an end view of the bread-carrier as positioned for delivery to the detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken through the bread-carrier as positioned for delivery on substantially the indicated line H-ll of Figure 6. Figure 12 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line [2-12 of Figure 11, broken lines in the view denoting alternative positions of relatively movable elements. Figure 13 is a detail plan, on an enlarged scale, of the elements constituting the second, or lettuce-slice-delivering station of the apparatus. Figure 14 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line I i-I4 of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 illustrating movable elements of the latter view in alternative interrelation. Figure 16 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the lettuce receiver and associated mechanism represented in Figure 13. Figure 17 is an outer, or left-hand Wall, elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 16, on a somewhat enlarged scale. Figure 18 is an elevation at right angles to the showing of Figure 17. Figure 19 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line l9-l9 of Figure 18. Figure 20 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line 26-20 of Figure 19. Figure 21 is a fragmentary, detail section, taken substantially on the indicated line -2! of Figure 19. Figure 22 is a detail plan, on an enlarged scale, of the elements constituting the third, or filling-material-delivering, station of the apparatus in non-operative interrelation. Figure 23 is a fragmentary, detail plan, partially in section, of receiver actuating and positioning means associated with the apparatus shown in the preceding view. Figure 24 is an end elevation of the showing of Figure 23. Fig

ure 25 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 25-25 of Figure 23. Figure 26 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the receivers represented in Figure 22 as registered with and for delivery to the apparatus third station. Figure 27 is an elevation, on a further enlarged scale, partially in section and with elements broken away, of the lower end of the receiver shown in Figure 26. Figure 28 is a fragmentary, detail section taken on substantially the indicated line 28-28 of Figure 27. Figure 29 is a multi-vertical-section view taken on various parallel planes through the showing of Figure 27. Figure 30 is a fragmentary, detail elevation, partly in section, of a corner of the receiver as viewed. from substantially the position indicated by the line 36-30 of Figure 29. Figure 31 is a detail, phantom view of elements and inter-relationships inherent in the showing of Figure 29. Figure 32 is a fragmentary, detail section illustrating a construction alternative to that of the analogous elements shown in Figure 29. Figure 33 is a fragmentary, detail section through the fifth, or second bread-slice-delivering, station of the apparatus with the associated bread-carrier registered for delivery thereto. Figure 34 is a detail plan, on an enlarged scale, of the elements constituting the sixth, or sandwitch transferring, dividing, trimming, and delivering, station of the apparatus. Figure 35 is a side elevation of the major portion of the showing of Figure 34. Figure 36 is a fragmentary, detail section, taken substantially on the indicated line 36-36 of Figure 35. Figure 37 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale,

taken substantially on the indicated line 31-37 of Figure 35. Figure 38 is a section taken substantially on the indicated line 38-38 of Figure 35. Figure 39 is an end elevation of the arrangement according to Figure 38, certain elements of the latter view being in section. Figure 40 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, through automatic carrier latching and releasing means indicated in the preceding view. Figure 41 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line 4l-4l of Figure 39. Figure 42 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 42-42 of Figure 38. Figure 43 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 43-43 of Figure 34. Figure 44 is a fragmentary, detail section, taken substantially on the indicated line 44-44 of Figure 43. Figure 45 is a fragmentary, detail section, taken substantially on the indicated line 45-45 of Figure 43. Figure 46 is a front, or face, elevation of a typical control unit for the apparatus. Figure 47 is a top plan view of the arrangement typified by Figure 46. Figure 48 is a cross section taken substantially on the indicated line 48-48 of Figure 47. Figure 49 is a vertical section taken substantially on the indicated line 49-49 of Figure 47, certain actuators being shown in full-view plane paralleling that of the section. Figure 50 is a detail elevation of a contact panel shown in section in Figure 48. Figure 51 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line 5l-5! of Figure 47. Figure 52 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 52-52 of Figure 49. Figure 53 is a fragmentary, detail, plan view of means employed for the selective charging of options into the control unit, broken lines indicating alternative operative positions of movable elements represented therein. Figure 54 is a somewhat schematic end view of certain of the elements shown in Figure 53, arrows indicating direction of movable element travel and broken lines representing alternative element positions incident to their travel. Figure 55 is a conventionalized diagram of the circuits and electrical facilities employed to efiect the controls and automatic operative reactions inherent in the apparatus. Figure 56 is an elevation of and at right angles to the right-hand portion of the showing of Figure 4.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a shaft 60 is mounted for rotation in and to upstand vertically from and above suitable fixed frame elements 6| and is furnished with a concentric, fixedly-associated gear 62 adjacent its lower end. A second shaft 63 is journaled for rotation in the frame elements 6| in spaced, parallel relation withthe shaft 60 and is suitably connected, as by means of a chain 64, in driven relation with an electric motor 65 in such manner'as to reflect actuation of said motor as rotation of the shaft 63 at desired speed, and a, mutilated gear 66 is fixed to said shaft 63 for intermittent drive coaction with the gear 62. A sleeve hub 61 is journaled for independent rotation in the frame elements 6| about a portion of the shaft 60 above the gear 62 and fixedly carries a gear 68 spacedly paralleling said gear 62, and a muti- =-.lated gear 69 is fixed to the shaft 63 in spaced parallelism with the gear 66 for intermittent drive coaction with said gear 68. While the gear ratios and drive intervals of the arrangement shown and described are susceptible of wide variation to fit the requirements. of a particular operative assembly, it is expedient to assume that inthis instance they are such as to effect a sixty degree rotation of the shaft 60 during a ten second interval and a sixty degree rotation of the hub 61 during a subsequent five second interval while the motor 65 is continuously operating; the shaft 63 hence making one complete revolution in fifteen seconds, the shaft 60 being at rest when the hub 67 is rotating, and said hub 61 being at rest when the shaft 60 is rotating.

A plurality, in this instance six, of identical arms Ill fixedly radiate from and in a uniform angular spacing about the upper end of the hub 61 and a rectangular, fiat plate I I, or" a size suitable for supporting accommodation of a sandwich, is similarly fixed to the outer end upper edge of each arm for rotation with the latter through a common annular orbit concentric with and perpendicular to the shaft 60 axis; an annular track I2 fixedly supported by the elements 6i inwardly adjacent and in a parallel plane offset below that of the plate "H rotational orbit engaging with slide blocks or rollers on the lower edges of the arms I9 to altitudinally guide, posi- -tion, and support outer ends of said arms and the plates 1! fixed thereto. Spacedly parallel,

cylindrical walls I3 coaxial with the shaft 60 are fixedly supported relative to the elements GI to correspondingly rise above and define the orbital paths of the plate H inner and outer margins, and saidwalls are worked or intersected at uniform angular distances of sixty degrees to define orbitally successive stations corresponding with the plate H locations when the hub 61 and related elements are at rest.

It is the function of the plates H to each suc such initial station being represented as that v where the walls 13 are modified to provide spacedly-opposed, perpendicularly-related webs 14 on their lower margins partially obstructing the annular channel between said walls and closely overlying the position of a plate H as disposed when the hub 61 is at rest, said webs 14 having an extent circumferentially of the walls 13 approximating the width of a plate 7!.

The bread to be supplied at the initial station of the apparatus is provided in the form or" sliced loaves, or units of assembled slices, charged within a multi-compartment receiver wherein each compartment is adapted to store a given type or rind of bread in a manner to permit selective delivery to the station-registered plate H as hereinafter set forth. The initial station bread receiver of the illustrated embodiment is shown as a unit 15 in the form of a flat, open-top, open-end pan of suitable depth longitudinally divided by upstanding partitions 16 to provide four like, parallel troughs each of a, size to accommodate standard bread slices transversely thereof; the provision of four such troughs making possible the storage and selective delivery of four kinds or types of bread, such aswhite, whole wheat, rye, and toast, for example. The unit i5 is furnished with wheel-equipped hangers ll upstanding from and adjacent the ends of its closed long sides, and the wheels .of said'hangers engage with and ride on fixedly-elevated, horiaontal tracks l8 disposed above and outwardly tangential to the plate Tl orbit to rollably support said unit for selective registration of its trough ends with and above. the webs 14 marking the initial station of the apparatus; the track 18 disposition being such as to align each trough registered with the webs 14 radially of the channel defined by the walls 13. Selective registration of the unit 15 troughs with the webs 14 of the initial station in response to the actuation of selectors and controls, hereinafter to be described, is automatically accomplished through the agency of electricallyresponsive means and connections susceptible of diverse construction and operative arrangement as typified by the showing of the drawings. A toothed quadrant '59, of relatively-large radius, is journaled at its apex for actuation through a vertical arc transverse of the unit 15 troughs, in this instance on the side of the unit 15 leading in the direction of desired shift, and meshes with a rack bar 8!) fixed to and extending perpendicularly from the adjacent unit 15 side, while a toothed quadrant 8], of relativelylesser radius, fixed to or integral with the quadrant it extends in opposition to the latter and oppositely from the journal axis to meshed engagement with a rack bar 82 underlying and spacedly paralleling the bar 88. One end of the rack bar 82 is extended as an aligned, elongate stem 83, conveniently cylindrical, through the hollow cores of a succession of spacedly-aligned, electro-magnetic coils corresponding in number with the number of troughs in the unit 15, and the end of the stem 83 beyond the last of the coils 84 is resiliently loaded, as by means of a spring 85 expansively engaging between a collar on said stern. and fixed elements of the track 18 support, to yieldably maintain the rack bar 82 at the limit of its travel away from the coils 84 and the unit '15 through the agency of the quadrants l9 and 3! and the rack bar 88, at the limit of its travel away from trough registration with the webs M. The coils 84 are designed to function as solenoids in coaction with shiftable armatures 88 loosely strung on the stem 83, to which end the successive coils and associated arrnatures are graduated in length, from a minimum adjacent the quadrant 8| to a maximum adjacent the spring 85, so as to provide, when independently energized, an associated armature travel effective as a corresponding shift of the stem 83 to act through the quadrant and rack bar linkage to register the unit 15 trough corresponding in number of succession with the energized coil above and in position to deliver to the webs '54. Thus, the coil 84 adjacent the quadrant s: will have an armature travel, or throw, suiiicient to register the last trough of the unit with the delivery. station, while the intermediate coils will be proportioned to respectively register the second and third troughs with the delivery station. To position the armatures 86 along the stem 83 for effective use and to apply reaction of said armatures to shift of said stem, collars 8! are fixed to and at intervals along the stem 83, one such collar being provided for each coil 84, and the disposition of such collars is such as to engage each of them with the coilentering end of the associated armature in maximum operative projection of the armatures from their respective coils when all of the coils are deenergized and the stem 83 is at the limit of its travel range'under the expansive influence of the spring 85. The coils M'rnay be wired for either independent or progressive energization, it bein apparent that each of the longer coils includes in 

